GROW GUIDE

ZESTY CILANTRO

Coriandrum Sativum

Cilantro

Plant Description

An essential herb in global cuisines, cilantro features broad, flat leaves and a bright green color. It exudes a pungent, citrusy flavor often described as fresh and tangy.

Cilantro is particularly favored in Mexican, Asian, and Indian dishes, where its leaves and stems are used to add a vibrant, aromatic lift to spicy foods and salsas.

GARDENING LEVEL: MEDIUM

Quick Facts

  • Sun Requirements

    Partial/Full Sun

  • Days To Sprout

    7-10 Days

  • Days To Harvest

    50-55 Days

  • Plant Spacing

    3“

  • Seeds Per Hole

    2-3

  • Plant Type

    Annual

  • Planting Depth

    1/2"

  • Germination Rate

    ~60%

Best Planting Locations

  • Windowsills

    Ideal For Small Herbs, Providing Adequate Sunlight.

  • Raised Beds

    Provides Good Drainage And Ample Space For Roots.

  • Indoor Gardens

    Utilizes Grow Lights To Ensure Year-Round Growth; Perfect For Consistent Conditions.

  • Containers

    Allows For Easy Control Of Soil And Moisture; Portable.

Getting Started

  • 1

    Find the Spot

    Grows best in cool conditions but needs full sun or light shade in hotter climates. If growing indoors, a window that offers ample morning light is ideal.

  • 2

    Prep the Soil & Fertilizer

    Use well-draining, fertile soil. Mix in organic compost to enhance nutrient content. It does not need much fertilizer; too much can diminish its flavor.

  • 3

    Plant the Seeds

    Plant 2-3 seeds in each hole about 1/2" deep. Space seedlings or plants about 3 inches apart. The plant's leaves will shade the roots and prevent the plant from bolting.

Companion Plants

  • Spinach:

    Cilantro's aromatic presence might deter pests, while their culinary compatibility means you've got ingredients for a meal right in one pot

  • Basil:

    Similar growing needs.

  • Dill:

    Similar growing needs, increase natural pest control

  • Lettuce:

    Cilantro attracts beneficial insects (like ladybugs, hoverflies, parasitoid wasps, and lacewings) that will prey on harmful pests.

  • Tomato:

    Tomato offers needed shade to cilantro and often lengthening cilantro’s growing season by keeping it cool and slowing its bolting process

Attractants

  • Hoverflies:

    Which may in turn reduce pest populations in cabbages.

  • Tachinid fly:

    Feed on nectar from small flowers, like cilantro.

Enemy Plants

  • Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Sage:

    Requires drier soil conditions than cilantro.

  • Carrots:

    Planting together will make them more susceptible to serious damage from a variety of insects.

Repellents

  • Aphids:

    Aphids dislike aromatic herbs, like Cilantro

  • Potato beetle:

    Repelled by cilantro's aroma

  • Spider mites:

    Repelled by cilantro's aroma

  • Whiteflies:

    Repelled by cilantro's aroma

Best Time to Plant

USDA Hardiness Zones

  • Zone 3:

    May - June, August - Early Sept (outdoors)

  • Zone 4:

    May - June, August - Mid Sept (outdoors)

  • Zone 5:

    April - June, August - Late Sept (outdoors)

  • Zone 6:

    April - June, August - Late Sept (outdoors)

  • Zone 7:

    April - June, August - Late Sept (outdoors)

  • Zone 8:

    March - May, Sept - Oct (outdoors)

  • Zone 9:

    Feb - April, Oct - Nov (outdoors/indoor)

  • Zone 10:

    Jan - March, Nov - Dec (outdoors/indoor)

Day to Day Maintenance

  • Watering

    Likes moist soil, but it is important to avoid waterlogging. Water it regularly, especially in hot, dry conditions, to keep the soil evenly moist. Ensure that the pot or ground has good drainage.

  • Pruning

    Does not typically require pruning as the plant will naturally bolt and go to seed. Harvest leaves as needed, which also helps to delay bolting. Once the plant flowers, it will stop producing leaves, so regular harvesting is beneficial.

The Harvest

  • Gathering

    Harvest leaves by cutting them off at the stem. You can start harvesting when the plant is about 6 inches tall. Frequent harvesting can help to prolong the vegetative state and delay bolting.

  • Extra Tip

    Best harvested in the morning when its aromatic compounds are most concentrated, providing the freshest flavor for culinary use.

Favorite Uses

  • Salsa

  • Guacamole

  • Salad

  • Soup

How to Store

  • Refrigeration

    • Duration: Up To One Week
    • Location: Store In The Refrigerator
    • Method: Wrap Loosely In A Damp Paper Towel And Then Place It In A Plastic Bag. Store In The Vegetable Drawer.

  • Freezing

    • Duration: Several Months
    • Location: Store In The Freezer
    • Method (Whole Leaf): Chop And Freeze In Ice Cube Trays With Water Or Olive Oil, Or Store Whole Leaves In Freezer Bags.

  • Oil Preservation

    • Duration: Several Months
    • Location: Refrigerator
    • Method: Submerge Chopped Cilantro In Olive Oil In An Airtight Container; Refrigerate And Use As Needed For Cooking.

  • Vinegar Preservation

    • Duration: Several Months
    • Location: Cool, Dark Place
    • Method: Submerge In Vinegar To Preseve And Infuse The Vinegar With Its Flavor, Ideal For Adding To Dishes.

Fun Facts

  • Love Or Hate

    Cilantro often elicits a love-or-hate reaction due to a genetic trait in some people that makes it taste like soap.

  • Ancient Provisions

    Cilantro seeds, known as coriander, have been found in ruins dating back to 5000 BC, making it one of the oldest herbs still used in modern cooking.

  • Detoxifying Properties

    Cilantro is known for its detoxifying properties, particularly in removing heavy metals from the body.